Alex Eala loses to Elise Mertens in Bad Homburg Open debut

FILE–Alex Eala in action during the WTA 125 Birmingham Open. –BIRMINGHAM OPEN PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–After a blistering campaign in Berlin, Alex Eala cooled off in her maiden appearance at the Bad Homburg Open.

Eyeing another deep run, Eala instead suffered a first-round exit following a 6-3, 6-3 loss to Belgium’s Elise Mertens early Tuesday (Manila time).

READ: Alex Eala returns to WTA top 30 ahead of Bad Homburg debut

Through in ✌️

Elise Mertens confirms her place in the Round of 16 in Bad Homburg. She defeats Eala 6-3, 6-3!#BHO26 pic.twitter.com/8ZQm7cflEH

— wta (@WTA) June 22, 2026

The 21-year-old Eala, coming off a scintillating semifinal run at the Berlin Open just two days ago, got off to a fast start against Mertens.

Eala, however, lost steam after taking a 3-1 lead in the opening set, paving the way for a big fightback by Mertens.

With the first set slipping away, Mertens banked on a strong and consistent serve to reel off eight straight games.

READ: Alex Eala riding high ahead of Bad Homburg debut vs Elise Mertens

Mertens has now beaten Eala three times in as many meetings–a streak that began in 2023 at the WTA 250 Jasmin Open in Monastir, Tunisia, where the Filipino star fell, 7-5, 6-0.

Eala had a chance to get even with Mertens, but lost again in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1, in the Madrid Open round of 64 last April.

The loss prevented what could have been a first match between Eala and four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka in the round of 16.